Understand The Importance of Light in Architecture
Lighting is essential in design because it allows users to see, inhabit places safely, and go about their everyday tasks. A building can be lighted either naturally or artificially. But, at the end of the day, light is the conduit by which individuals observe and value their surroundings. Furthermore, light adds a sense of importance to the building.
Perhaps the most basic sense that allows people to appreciate or respect architecture is eyesight, and light improves that experience. The way lighting is integrated into architectural design has the ability to significantly affect the well-being of persons who live in a specific place. As a result, architects must pay careful attention while establishing lighting design solutions.
If you want to know more about the importance of lighting in architecture, keep reading.
1. The Importance of Lighting In Architecture
Whether it be offices, factories, or houses, lighting has a huge impact on the visibility and appearance of every space. Sufficient and beautiful lighting can enhance the look of a dull space, whereas improper lighting implementations can make a catchy area look less impressive. Therefore, according to the requirement of the space, it is essential to have proper outdoor architectural lighting design arrangements.
Whether architects are working with natural light, electric light, or both, they have proved that lighting and their lack can have an unexpected impact on people's health and productivity. That's the reason why designers and architects are showing more inclination towards the effect of lighting because now they can use modern LED lighting with advanced technology for improvement.
2. Ways to Integrate Lighting in Architecture
Designers usually apply several tricks, especially when they need to delimit places or generate feelings. For example, glass could play a significant role in how light enters a room. Additionally, light could be combined with reflective fronts, such as floors or walls.
Three factors are vital in the formation of an effective harmony involving lighting and architecture. These are aesthetic, function, and efficiency.
2.1) Aesthetic
Under this category, architects and designers zoom in on the emotional effect of lighting and architecture on the occupiers after balancing these aspects.
2.2) Function
Spaces must be well-lit so occupiers would feel safe, at ease, and self-assured when they walk around the room or house. The floors and walls should be visible, as well as create a sense of assurance. Additionally, it should be easy to carry out particular tasks, such as task lighting for work, studying, and so forth, as well as emergency lighting in case people need to escape.
2.3) Efficiency
This is essential, especially in the current wave of green construction and sustainability. While it's important to develop a functional lighting design, it would be attractive if the layout is also amazing and efficient.
3. Different Types of Exterior Lighting Design
There's no doubt exterior lighting is a necessity, and each type of lighting serves a specific purpose. Here are some of the major types of exterior lighting and their best applications:
3.1) Task lighting
Task lighting prioritizes functionality over anything else. Task lighting illuminates or highlights particular regions of a property. Pathway lights, deck lights, and step lights are popular choices for task lighting.
Path lights, for example, provide localized lighting. Path lights can be used to define outdoor living areas and frame the yard. Simply place the light posts around the area of interest, and your outdoor living environment will take shape. You can also utilize task lighting to brighten up doorways. Outdoor task lighting can also be used as security lights. The strong lights expose dark areas that may pose security issues.
3.2) Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is also popularly known as general lighting. It provides comfortable illumination. It also boosts the overall security of your outdoor space. However, unlike task lighting, ambient lights are generally less bright, which prevents glare.
You generally use ambient lighting for places where people gather—for example, outdoor seating areas like your patio or deck. People often use outdoor wall lights or post lights for ambient lighting.
3.3) Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to bring attention to and emphasize certain aspects of a property. Accent lighting may highlight unique architectural details in your building. Wall washing is one of the common accent lighting techniques you could use. This method require "washing" your walls with light. To accomplish this look, utilize outdoor wall washers.
4. Advantages of Architectural Lighting
The intensity, color, type and tone of lighting have a significant impact on the thinking and feeling of humans. The benefits of facade lighting are manifold. So, each of these factors should be taken into consideration while designing commercial and domestic spaces.
4.1) Architectural lighting impacts our perceptions of depth and volume, that's the reason why a well-lit area seems larger than its actual size.
4.2) Architectural lighting can bring outdoor spaces and facades to life. From utilizing outdoor lighting fixtures for security, dramatic effects, or landscape, these lights change the way of seeing and understanding a pathway, building, or any space.
4.3) Architects consider alternative sources of energy, like solar energy, to make the buildings eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
Whether it be task lighting for safety or ambient string light for outdoor parties, architects need to evaluate the outdoor space requirements and use proper outdoor architectural lighting for exterior spaces.
5. Conclusion
Proper architectural lighting can transform your outdoor space. In addition to providing the much-needed safety and security, outdoor lighting can help you show off the best details of your building while adding something positive to your space. Want to know the best ways to make your outdoors look better? We can do that magic outside your building here at LNJAMI.
